What’s a havurah?
A havurah aims to be an intimate community where deep, caring, supportive relationships are fostered between the members of the group as they share and explore a Jewish focus of their own choosing. The group sets its own agenda, is peer-led, and meets on an ongoing basis. The havurah should ultimately have a minimum of seven people, meet nine times a year or more, have a Jewish focus and shared leadership.
The Havurah Initiative
The Havurah Initiative is our community’s third joint program between Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and Jewish Federation. We also partner on PJ Library and LIFE & LEGACY®.
We are looking to support 10* new havurot with up to $1,000/year for program expenses and supplies, and an additional $1,000/year for each havurah's connector (*4 spots left). Grants are available for up to two years.
We are now accepting applications for the competitive process.
Our Havurah
Schenectady Young Families Havurah is a group consisting of young families looking to connect within their community, Jewishly. For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Ilene Friedman: ilene_friedman@yahoo.com.
Hebrewly is a group of Hebrew-speaking individuals (ranging from beginner to advanced/fluent speaking) engaging in regular daily activities, from a Hebrew language lens. For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Tsila Waldman: tsila37@gmail.com.
Teva Trails is a group designed for outdoor enthusiasts looking to participate in outdoor activities from a Jewish perspective. For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Yosef Rubin: cliftonparkchabad@gmail.com.
Horei Olim is a group intended for those parents whose children have made Aliyah. For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Susannah Levin: zuzana1200@gmail.com.
Active Empty Nesters is a havurah group designed and created for those members of our community whose children have “flown the nest.” For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Paula Metzner: metzner.paula@gmail.com.
Yarn Mitzvah is a group for fiber lovers and learners. We teach people how to knit and crochet, and then we spend time together making items to donate to various organizations. For more information or to join this Havurah, email yarn.mitzvah@gmail.com.
Machers & Mavens is a group of mature couples who originally bonded over games of Mah Jongg and Canasta, who want to continue their connection through a variety of social and Jewish activities. For more information or to join this Havurah, contact Randy Fox: randfox@gmail.com.
